Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Core Voltage Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining a stable core voltage level due to variations in the general-purpose ground voltage, especially in high frequency environments, leading to potential malfunctions during write operations.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor integrated circuit employs a core voltage generator with a comparison unit, a driving unit, and a division unit that uses both internal and external division units to selectively output feedback voltages, ensuring the core voltage is maintained at a target level by comparing reference voltages with feedback voltages from both general-purpose and reference-voltage-purpose ground voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a core voltage generator uses a general-purpose ground voltage for feedback division, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the core voltage stability deteriorates due to ground voltage variations in high frequency environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ground voltage system into two separate systems: a general-purpose ground voltage (VSS) for power supply and a reference-voltage-purpose ground voltage (VSSV) for feedback reference. This segmentation allows the feedback division unit to use the stable VSSV instead of the noisy VSS, resolving the contradiction by separating the functions to eliminate ground noise interference while maintaining core voltage stability.
2Area of stationary object
If the core voltage generator uses a single ground voltage pad, then the device area is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to noise interference in high frequency operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate reference-voltage-purpose ground voltage pad (VSSV) distinct from the general-purpose ground voltage pad (VSS). This segmentation provides a clean reference potential for the feedback division unit, preventing ground bounce and noise from affecting write operations, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference-voltage-purpose ground voltage (VSSV) acts as an intermediary between the core voltage generator and the feedback division unit. It provides a stable reference potential that mediates the feedback signal, isolating the sensitive voltage comparison process from the noisy general-purpose ground system and ensuring reliable write operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the feedback division unit uses the general-purpose ground voltage, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the measurement precision of core voltage deteriorates due to ground voltage fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ground voltage function into general-purpose (VSS) and reference-voltage-purpose (VSSV) systems. The feedback division unit connects to VSSV, which maintains a stable potential even during high-frequency operations. This segmentation ensures precise voltage measurement and comparison without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as it only involves adding an additional ground connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first ground voltage pad, a second ground voltage pad, an internal voltage generation unit, and a division unit. The first ground voltage pad is configured to receive a first ground voltage. The second ground voltage pad is configured to receive a second ground voltage. The internal voltage generation unit includes a comparison unit configured to compare a reference voltage with a feedback voltage by using the first ground voltage, and a driving unit configured to drive an internal voltage terminal in response to an output signal of the comparison unit. The division unit is coupled between the internal voltage terminal and the second ground voltage pad, and configured to divide a voltage of the internal voltage pad and generate the feedback voltage supplied to the internal voltage generation unit.